GREENSBORO, N.C. - Sophomore Eric Chandler was one of just eight wrestlers nationally to be named by the National Wrestling Coaches Association as a Division I NWCA All-Academic True Freshman wrestler for the 2009-10 season, the organization announced on Wednesday.

"Eric showed his commitment to academics during an always difficult transition, going from high school to college," said head coach Jason Loukides. "He juggled athletics, academics, and being away from home for the first time. This is a well-deserved honor and one that Spartan Nation can take pride in!"

In order to be eligible for the award, the wrestlers had to complete two full semesters at their institution, along with meeting a particular GPA and competition mark.

"These student-athletes are in one of the biggest transitional years they have faced coming from high school to college, being able to see their success on the mat as individuals and their success in the classroom shows that they are working to achieve lofty goals throughout their college careers," said NWCA President Brian Smith.

Chandler, who has a 3.28 GPA in pre-business administration, went 23-16 on the mat last season, including a 4-1 mark in Southern Conference competition. At the SoCon Championships, Chandler advanced all the way to the finals before falling.

For his efforts as a freshman, Chandler was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team by the head coaches in the league.

Also earning NWCA All-Academic True Freshman honors was Kyle Dake from Cornell who won the NCAA Championship at 141 pounds. Fellow All-Americans Tyler Caldwell (Oklahoma) and Christopher Quiroga (Purdue) also made the list.

Rounding out the top wrestlers academically were: Daniel Mitchell of American University, Ian Michael Paddock of Ohio State University, Ryan Mango of Stanford University and Steven Keith of Harvard University.

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2009-10 NWCA All-Academic True Freshman Wrestlers